EOC Forced into ISLAM

[ ROC - Politics & Worldview - 1 ] [ Absent from the Body ] [ Belarus ] [ EOC & Oppression ] [ Television for COPTS - Net TV ] [ Church ] [ Eucharist 1 ] [ EOC-Island ] [ Racket ] [ Islam & the Orthodox ] [ By What Criteria ? ] [ Ukrainian ] [ ROCA side activities ]

[ Are we Making This up ? ] [ EOC Forced into ISLAM ]

EASTERN ORTHODOX COPTIC GIRL ABDUCTED

AND FORCED TO CONVERT TO ISLAM; POLICE COLLABORATE

WITH GIRL’S VIOLENT ABDUCTOR

Washington DC (3/9/2004) – U.S. Copts Association has received reports that on January 4, 2004, 18 year-old Ingy Helmy Georgy Labibe was abducted while shopping in her hometown, Mahala el Kobra, Egypt. When they failed to locate her themselves, Ingy’s family turned to local police officers who refused to file a missing person report. Shortly thereafter, the family was notified that Ingy was in the custody of Fahmy Taha Mahmoud and would "officially convert" to Islam.

At 18 years of age, Ingy is considered a juvenile under Egyptian law, which prohibits the conversion of minors. She is also vulnerable to episodes of depression and has been medically diagnosed with a psychological condition. Proof of her medical condition is outlined in Dr. Hosam Al Sawee’s physician report dated December 15, 2003.

Ingy’s disappearance on January 4th prompted her family’s frantic search for her. Despite the family’s desperate pleas, police officials refused to report on Ingy’s missing status. The following day, the family received a telephone call notifying them that their daughter was presently in the custody of Fahmy Mahmoud; her return would be contingent upon payment of a sum of money. Despite their readiness to pay, their daughter was not returned. Mahmoud made several other offers to have Ingy returned in exchange for payment; however, all his offers failed to materialize. After several other attempts to retrieve their daughter, the family once again sought police assistance. Police Chief Mahmoud Mohammed Hamid repeatedly refused to file a report on Ingy’s disappearance. Moreover, police officers refused the family’s requests to have their daughter physically examined to assess whether she had been sexually violated.

A report was finally filed (#904, Year 2004); however, the police also asserted Ingy’s imminent conversion to Islam. The family was told that on January 19, 2004 Ingy would be officially declared a convert to Islam. Her frenzied parents struggled to postpone the official confirmation of her forced conversion to Islam and the date was pushed back to March 1, 2004.

During this time, the family received reports that Ingy’s abductor is a civilian advisor to Police Chief Hamid and his unit. In light of Mahmoud’s close ties with local police, Ingy’s parents face the overwhelming task of challenging the wiles of both their daughter’s abductor and the forces of the local security forces.

Vulnerable Coptic young women have repeatedly been the targets of Muslim extremists, intent on converting them to Islam. These manipulated conversions to Islam are further complicated by the police’s unacceptable lack of cooperation, and must be brought to an end. “It is utterly appalling that vulnerable Coptic girls are exposed to the aggression of thugs whose acts of rape and violence are protected by Egypt’s law enforcement officials,” stated Michael Meunier, president of the U.S. Copts Association. “This conduct is a complete violation of the law, which prohibits the conversion of minors, and reveals the complicity of the local police in masking the offense as a conversion to Islam,” Meunier continued.

The U.S. Copts Association will bring Ingy’s case before Egypt’s newly established National Human Rights Council, whose duties include promoting a human rights agenda within the nation. “We await the Council’s investigation of and response to the forced conversion of Coptic girls,” stated Meunier.

WHEN WILL YOU GET INVOLVED ?

What is your Church doing about other Christians ?

Where is your PRIEST speaking out on this issue ?

What action is your church Council recommending ?

Why have you not written letters of protest to the Egyptian Embassy ?

Why have you Not called your congressman ?

To be comfortable is easy.

To do nothing while others suffer greatly in Prisons or are beaten is easy.

It's a whole lot more comforting to sing a liturgy, than it is to write a letter !

XOFC Deplores the Human Rights abuses of the Egyptian Government against

Christians and the silence of American Politicians.

ISLAM AND THE ORTHODOX